Merivel: A Man of His Time Paperback – July 14, 2014

Rose Tremain's Merival: A Man of His Time finds our hero, Sir Robert Merivel, more or less where we left him after the author's earlier book, Restoration: at Bidnold, the manor bestowed upon him by King Charles II. Firmly ensconced in the king's good graces, Merivel seems to have left the Sturm und Drang of his earlier existence behind and as achieved a kind of tranquility. That is until his beloved daughter, Margaret, deserts him during the holidays, having been invited on a trip by Merivel's neighbors.Sir Robert's familiar restlessness takes hold and we soon find him in France, attempting to gain a place as a physician in the court of the Sun King, Louis XIV. There he meets, and falls in love with, Louise de Flamanville, wife of a soldier stationed at Versailles. Given her passion for science and sex, she is as close to a soul mate as Merivel is going to find. But before happiness is to be his, Merivel must endure illness, the lethargy of King Charles II in twilight, concerns over the health and happiness of a pet bear, deaths of old friends and obsessive worries about his daughter's virtue. In the end Robert Merivel faces his own mortality, wondering if the end of the Resotoration Era will, indeed, be the end of him.This book didn't get two stars knocked off because of Tremain's writing, which once again vividly illustrates the world through which Merivel walks. Her description of Versailles leaves no doubt of what it must have been like arriving there, only to have hopes of royal recognition and fame be swallowed whole by the huge palace and the indifference of the Sun King's court. Her characters are vividly drawn. I especially enjoyed reading of Merivel's relationship with his servant Will. Will's devotion to Sir Robert in many ways mirrors Sir Robert's devotion to the king.What I didn't like about the book was that Robert Merivel had happiness in his grasp and wouldn't close the deal. He'd found a kindred spirit in Madame de Flamanville, a potential friend in her father and a life of leisure to pursue new passion in life: the writing of his magnum opus on the souls of animals. What's more, his daughter finds a very high place in society. I found myself heartily cheering Merivel on as he charges toward his destiny. But he has immense difficulty grasping it. He trots out reasons why, but, after witnessing his struggles over the course of two novels, they seem like pretty weak beer. I've known people who, despite having happiness fall at their feet, refuse to be happy. Perhaps that's the whole point of the book, that Sir Robert is incapable of happiness and contentment. If so, it's Rose Tremain's book to write. But it, and the somewhat predictable end, left me more than a little dissatisfied. I think the reader, and Sir Robert, deserve more.

I loved Merivel. I read Restoration when it was published and was charmed by the central character, and it was good to be welcomed back into his world of marvels, sorrows and fun. Robert Merivel is a very attractive man, mainly because he is innately kind and innately good in a time when neither of these characteristics are much valued. King Charles still maintains their friendship, despite the difference in wealth and status. He claims to value most Merivel's buffoonery, and sometimes he is certainly clownish, but no one doubts (or ridicules) Merivel's sincere love for the King. Equally, his love and respect for his 17-year-old daughter Margaret is beyond question. Merivel will do almost anything for those who serve him, those who are kind to him, and those whom he loves. The story concerns his noblest attempts to help those around him, even though they are often met with failure and sometimes farce, and his feelings of self-doubt and search for a purpose in his (mostly) privileged life. Despite his humour, Merivel is no fool, he is a clear-eyed observer of the lives and morals of his contemporaries, and this novel comes alive with his wry portraits of servants, friends, chance-met strangers and a variety of animals. Tremain's odd but charming hero's voice is always believable, whether readers are laughing at his antics, or crying for his misfortunes. Merivel's archaic but earthy language adds to the fun. Tremain brings 17th century England to vigorous life. My criticism (not of the book or its author) is that it ended, before I was ready. I wish I could have kept reading about Merivel and his times for much longer. But, I guess, life and literature is like that.

A rather lonely 17th c. English physician, marooned in his country manor and rather land-poor. He is friends with King Charles, whose dogs he revived and tended. Sir Robert Merivel has one daughter, who goes off with wealthier friends to Cornwall; so he ventures to the court of Louis XIII, where he waits in vain for an audience but meets a charming aristocratic lady and is soon enamored of her. Her husband is a courtier and Colonel of Guards, but homosexual and thus married only for appearances. When the colonel threatens Merivel, we worry, but then he is smitten with a Russian guardsman and is willing to let his wife go live in Switzerland with her father -- where she can entertain visits from Merivel. I won't spoil the next chapters. . .But altogether, Robert Merivel is a wry, somewhat hapless, earnest and humorous physician whose hold on a living is basically his friendship with King Charles, who has gifted him an annuity. A charming character who also figures in Tremain's novel RESTORATION.

I listened to the the audio version of this book which I highly recommend is the narrator was wonderful and perfectly captured in the warmth of his voice Merivel's in a kindness and warmth. This sequel to Restoration which I haven't read, takes us to the French court of Versailles where Merivel meets a beguiling woman in a bad marriage, as well as Switzerland, along with England, altering the time of the restoration. Merival is always up for a sexual adventure, which are written tastefully, but he also has great respect for the women he involves himself with. He's a wonderful central character and narrator because he's so human and his innate warmth, kindness, and love for both people and animals shine through, as well as his inner struggles and depressions.

Book arrived quickly and was in very good condition . Thanks !

Having mused in earlier reviews about the (to me) somewhat inexplicable worship & awe for Dame Rose, I finally get it! Dorothy L Sayers was in love with her creation Lord Peter Wimsey, and if not in love with him, Merivel certainly got into the author’s brain to the extent that many years after his original appearance, she writes a sequel for him. I enjoyed it far more than the original “Restoration”, partly because it was so much less preachy and didn’t appear to be trying to make a political point. It was a celebration of the rumbustious and clever character who clearly inhabited her imagination (there’s a trendy modern phrase for this, “lives rent free in your head” or somesuch), but I don’t think it’s entirely appropriate here. Clearly, it helps, or it maybe even be a prerequisite, to have read the earlier book.It goes at a terrific narrative pace, with references to Merivel’s previous life experiences, and the descriptions and period colour are hugely enjoyable. There are lots of cunning little references to contemporary historical characters and their literary oeuvres – Pepys, of course, with his extremely candid personal diary (although happily Dame Rose doesn’t do anything as unsubtle as starting off entries with “”To ….. “ or “And thence to” …. (unlike Sasha Swire in her recent attempt at immortality through bitchy political diarism). She restricts herself to the odd bit of capitalisation, which I found endearing. Like Pepys, Merivel is from a relatively humble background but thanks to a considerable intelligence, and a grammar school education, makes his way up the slippery pole of Restoration society – up to a point.The love interest and possible redemption of Merivel, Madame de Flamanville, is a kind of composite Madame de Sevigne-alike Femme Savante of the 17th Century, with echoes of Voltaire’s mistress Madame Du Chatelet of the succeeding century, with a nod to Jean Jacques Rousseau and his Swiss heritage thrown in. Somehow, despite wanting this liaison to succeed, you feel that it won’t. Even so, the ending came as a bit of a surprise, (unlike the entirely foreseeable revelation that his trusty servant Will had died during his sojourn in Switzerland). By 17th Century standards though, Merivel was already quite old, at 57, at the start of the book. As a quasi happy ending, it is made pretty clear that his beloved daughter Margaret was all set for a reasonably prosperous and potentially happy life. RIP Sir Robert Merivel.

What a disappointing and horribly depressing read. There was virtually no narrative. Besides constantly 'cashing in' on the very successful and brilliant prequel "Restoration" It seemed mostly to offer simply a collection of (very interesting) historical facts and a series of cameos involving Merivel's miserable outlook on the world dismally compounded by his terrible luck in every chapter.It could be said to be the inverse of a slapstick comedy. The ending I felt actually mocked the reader. "Well after what you have heard so far what did you expect ?"Dismal, episodic, ungainly and seemingly utterly pointless other than to illustrate the futility if not just one man's life but that of everyone around him at least half of whom died pointlessly or alone or in agony.I have clicked on two stars because Rose Tremain's writing style is an inspiration and constantly gives a vivid portrait of events. I am at a loss as to why she chose a dismal monochrome to effect this.

This was a really strong sequel to Restoration. Despite being written many years after the first book, Tremain captures the essence of the characters so well that these older and wiser versions we see in this book feel effortless and believable.King Charles II is a brilliantly drawn character and always entertaining in his complexity and unpredictability. The dynamic between the King and Merivel is a constant source of intrigue and I really enjoyed seeing how their relationship has grown over the years between Restoration and Merivel: A Man of his Time.The historical setting is beautifully described and the imagery and symbolism in the story was rich and added so much depth to an already fascinating protagonist and plot.

Bought this as it was a book group choice, otherwise I wouldn't have. Merivel does not have much luck and I felt a bit sorry for him. Story unrealistic as Merivel trots off to Sweden in a time when foreign travel was not easy, and just seems to arrive there with no problems. I thought this book was probably "written to sell", and edited to add a bit of sex in an unnecessary way. I like historical novels., based on facts but this one just didn't work for me.

This was a follow on from historical novel Restoration and I was not disappointed. Tremain writes with such warmth and vividness that you are immediately transported into the world of the characters. But it is her understanding of the flaws of the human condition and how she conveys them with such empathy and yet such wit that elevates her writing to another level. I don't read much, but Rose Tremain is up there as one of my standout authors. I was thrilled to be able to recommend her to my brother who has very discerning taste. Her books are staying with me.